Faith and Trust--Sunday Reflection

In our Sunday School class we are studying Genesis. Today's class focused on the creation of humanity--in God's image. We discussed what that meant in our lives today. We focused on the word "dominion" and that it meant being a servant of the land and people, not a dictator. In our lives today, we run across many people who believe that being "in charge" means "bossing," "controlling," and "domineering." Come on, you all know someone who is like that, or perhaps you see it in yourself. We all act and react differently according to the situation. As servants of God's creation, we should be taking care of the land, taking care of each other, and leading by example rather than domineering others. We are all responsible for each other and the world around us.

I had another discussion this week about faith and trust. An analogy was given on a child standing on the side of a swimming pool, the parent in the water with arms opened, and that child's complete faith and trust that the parent would catch them when the child jumped. A child is born with the trust that the person caring for them will nurture them, love them, and protect them. Where do we lose that faith and trust?

As a vision for our church, we are being tasked to reach out to those who don't know Jesus, show them that Jesus loves them, and to pray for them. As christians, we tend to flock to other christians because we are comfortable with them. We all seek comfort in the "known" and "safe" zones of our lives. Why can't we be like that little child at the swimming pool and trust in God? In our society today, to try and befriend a stranger could mean putting our lives in danger. Do we trust God to bring us through that fire?

I would like to. I am created in God's image. He blessed me with the ability to think and to make decisions. He would like me to walk in the path He envisioned when He created me. But I fail. Daily I fail. I know that to do honor to Him, I need to walk the walk as well as talk the talk. I know, I care, I desire to do this. But I am not as strong in faith and trust as that little child.

How about you?

Branding Buzz

One of my writing groups has decided to focus on branding. Each of us is to focus on trying to find a "brand" for ourselves. For this blog, I've used "Inside the Writer's Mind" and I think it's fairly unique. For my website I chose to use "Love, Suspense and Happy Endings." However, the group believes this is "too generic" to be a brand.

I know branding is supposed to be something unique to each of us, something that differentiates us from the rest of the pack. Every day in commercials there's a new catch phrase that is picked up and suddenly everyone is saying it. I still believe that if a writer "brands" with something "off the wall" and "catchy", it won't mean a hill of beans if you aren't a best-selling author with a broad fan base. Who else is going to know about you unless they stumble upon your website by chance (or by brand?).

So, I've been tossing around this whole branding thing and the only thing I can find about myself that is different from a lot of people, but not all, is my love for cats. I care for fourteen feral cats, have three indoor cats, and derive great enjoyment from their personalities and "quirks." With a few brushstrokes, I can turn an ordinary rock into a gorgeous cat. So, with that in mind how does one brand with this in mind? "Crazy Cat Lady?" I don't think so!

Some people brand around a book, but I don't want to do that. Books come and go, names stay the same.

I tossed around using "Purr-fect" Romances, or "Purrfectly" Page Turning Romances,
or my favorite: "Purr-pet-ual" Romantic. I think this fits my image since I always write an animal into each of my romances. What do you think?

I'd be interested to know what you think of branding in general. Do you have a brand?

Thanks for hanging with me!

Oldie but Goodie

Yesterday, hubby and I went to the Millersport Corn Festival. Had some great junk food and enjoyed a free concert.

Since I was raised on country music and it's still my favorite genre for fun listening, we were thrilled to see that Mel Tillis would be giving a free concert that evening. We put up our lawn chairs to stake out our spots and wandered the food booths. Settled on a Bahama Mama sandwich with a diet coke. But before taking our seats for the show, I made hubby stand in line to get some of those fair french fries. You know, the skinny kind in a round cardboard cup that you can cover with vinegar and salt? Yummy!

Great deal. They had cups for $3.00 or buckets for $5.00. Hubby said he didn't want that many so he was going to order a cup unless we wanted to share a bucket. Share??? What??? No way! I had him buy me a bucket all for moi! I must admit that I was feeling VERY STUFFED before I finished that thing, but I had to make a good showing. I ate all but a very small handful in the bottom. I told hubby I could have eaten those, too, if I had vinegar and salt, but they were bland. (They were, but that wasn't the reason I didn't finish!)

Then Mel Tillis came on stage. Couldn't believe he is actually 75!! But man can he sing. He can croon with the best of them and rock the stage as well. I was impressed, and so was hubby. All in all a great show. He was supposed to be on stage for an hour and a half. Now that surprised me! I figured maybe 45 minutes to an hour, but believe it or not, he actually continued belting out the great songs until he'd been singing for nearly two hours! Great show. And it gave me goosebumps when his last song was "How Great Thou Art" and the entire audience, which believe me was enormous all sang along. I thought there might a a couple hundred, but there had to be thousands. From one side of the stage all the way to the food court all you could see was a sea of heads.

What a wonderful vacation I'm having just hanging around home and doing local things. Tonight we are taking two grandsons to see Tecumseh, an outdoor drama with live horses, guns, and indians. They are so psyched and I can't wait to see it with the boys!

Thanks for reading!

Mark Your Calendars!!!

Please come join me and my other published author friends for a party and booksigning on Friday September 28 at 6PM at the University Plaza Hotel on Olentangy Road in Columbus, Ohio. I'm looking forward to touching base with all my friends, meeting new friends, making new fans, and having a BLAST!! I'll have my two books, FOXFIRE and HIT AND RUN for sale, which I'll be happy to autograph. I'm so excited about this event. It is the prequel to our annual COFW Writer's Conference on Saturday with our keynote speaker, New York Times Bestselling Author, Lori Foster.

FREE TO THE PUBLIC

"Celebration of Romance Writers & Readers"

Launch Parties & Book Signing

23 authors in attendance (see list below)

Refreshments - Door Prizes - Up Close & Personal with the Authors


University Plaza Hotel on September 28 from 6 - 8 p.m.

3110 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio

614-267-7461 or website for directions

http://www.universityplazaosu.com

Attending Authors:
Becky Barker
Julia Bennett
Jacki Bentley
Mary Campisi
Dianne Castell
Billy Chai
Susan Charnley
Debby Conrad
Carol Ann Erhardt
Lori Foster
Tabitha Gibson
Marcia James
Michelle Levigne
Melissa Lopez
Donna MacMeans
Erin McCarthy
LuAnn McLane
Jenna Petersen
Patricia Rasey
Patricia Sargeant
Kay Stockham
Kathleen Wells
Sandra Wickersham-McWhorter

Have You Read....

Obsession, by Karen Robards?

I picked this one up Sunday and began reading. It's hard to put the book down! What a page turner! I love Karen Robards work, but I haven't read anything recently, so when I saw this available through my book club I snatched it up.

The story begins with Katherine Lawrence and her college friend being bound and gagged in Katherine's apartment by two masked gunmen. They search her house trying to find something, but she doesn't know what they're after. All they do is ask her where it is, and with each answer of "I Don't Know", she's threatened, beaten, and tortured. The evening ends with the murder of her college friend. From there the story races, while Kathryn is trying to find out why she's a target, and even if she actually is Katherine.

Trust me, if you like fast paced thrillers, you'll love this book.

***************

Today I finished writing nine new pages on my new untitled manuscript.


Hop over to Sweeter Romantic Notions Blog and leave a comment on my blog for today and you will be entered to win a free download of THE FADED PHOTOGRAPH. www.sweeterromanticnotions.com/blog/

Thanks for stopping by!

Carol Ann

It's Officially In The Mail

I'm doing a happy dance. Today I mailed the manuscript package to Steeple Hill!!

I feel as if a huge burden has been lifted from my shoulders. I'm rewarding myself with doing absolutely nothing this weekend (besides my house cleaning and laundry). I have spent the majority of the day on the sofa reading my newest Dean Koontz book, THE GOOD GUY.

I love this author's method of writing things in a very fresh way. No one can weave words together like this man. Sure wish I could write like him.

On Tuesday, I'll be blogging on Sweeter Romantic Notions, so if you have time stop by and say hi.

Have a great rest of the weekend. Thanks for reading!

On the Far Side....

Have you ever seen any of the Far Side cartoons? I'm not a huge fan, but I have seen some totally ridiculously funny ones.

Today, one of my friends at work told me this incredibly hilarious story about her sister...a true story...that has had me giggling about all afternoon and evening. I swear I can picture this on a Far Side cartoon.

Okay, this lady's sister isn't able to work for a few weeks after having surgery on her foot. So, she's bored. REALLY bored.

She has one of those new above ground pools in her back yard, but she doesn't have a vacuum to clean the bottom or one of those long-handled screen things to scoop debris from the top. This very creative lady has a unique way of keeping the pool clean, nevertheless.

Picture this:

To clean the bottom she uses...are you ready for this????

A turkey baster!!! Now can you picture this? I wonder how long it took her to get the bottom clean? LOL!!!

And to remove the debris from the top?

You probably know the answer...yep, she uses a strainer!!! Not only that, but the strainer handle is broken!!!

**snicker, snort**

Bet someone will see this on my blog and one day these will be on a Far Side calendar.

Thanks to my friend and her sister for the laugh!!

Author Interview with Marcia James

The band finished playing a lively tune which the audience has been clapping along with..."Hound Dog".

Carol Ann comes on stage clapping. "How appropriate, you guys! How about it, audience, aren't they great?"

Audience applauds and hoots.

"Well, we do have a special guest in the studio who will be spending the next half hour with us talking about her latest book. How do I prepare you for this woman? She's funny, she's gorgeous, she's talented, and she's one of my good friends! Her logo is a cute little dog. You're gonna love it. It's a Chinese Crested hairless dog. If you've never seen one, you are in for a real treat, because my guest has brought one with her! Please make welcome, one of my favorite people to hang out with, Marcia James!!!"

Audience stomps, hoots, and hollers. The band takes up playing "Houng Dog" and Marcia walks out from between the center curtains.



CAROL ANN: Welcome, Marcia, and friend. Tell me about your cute logo. **Carol Ann pets the darling dog** Oh, it feels strange to feel just skin on a dog.

MARCIA: **laugh** In my debut comic romantic suspense, AT HER COMMAND, the DEA heroine has a canine partner, a Chinese Crested hairless dog named Smokey. This mini crime-fighter is a drug-sniffing dog who plays an important role in the book’s suspense and romance plots. I had a caricaturist make a drawing of a Chinese Crested to use as my logo, and the dog has become so popular, I now put a “crestie” in each of my books.

CAROL ANN: Audience, I have to tell you I had the pleasure of listening to Marcia talk about her book to a group at a library panel we participated in. **Carol Ann holds up a book and the camera pans in**



Isnt' that the cutest cover? Oh, and that's her logo holding the book. **laugh** Marcia, please tell the blog studio audience all about your book.

MARCIA: Gladly! AT HER COMMAND pokes fun at the alphabet soup of D.C. law enforcement agencies. As the book blurb reads, “When the DEA, the FBI and the DC police unknowingly put operatives undercover at the same club, sexy sparks fly.” The novel is rated R for Risqué, and there’s a more detailed blurb and an excerpt on my Web site (www.MarciaJames.net) that is definitely for adults only.

CAROL ANN: Rumor has it that you like to write about sex. Now this is a PG blog studio, but I'm sure you can give us some insight into exactly what you're talking about with this!

MARCIA: **Marcia avoids a doggie kiss** I know so many authors who cringe when it’s time to write the love scenes in their books. But I enjoy writing those sections and often do so before penning the rest of the book! ;-) To me, that’s when the hero and heroine are laid bare – figuratively and literally. Those scenes, at least in my books, are vital to my protagonists’ inner development. They don’t have sex until they’ve made an emotional commitment to each other, which means the book’s subsequent Dark Moment is so much more devastating. I also think many things about sex are humorous, and how my hero and heroine handle the ups and downs of lovemaking (no pun intended!) shows a lot about their personality and character.

CAROL ANN: Where did you come up with the idea for your book?

MARCIA: I lived in the Washington, D.C. area for over 20 years, where I witnessed how uncooperative the different federal and local agencies could be. So I thought, “What if several of these agencies decided to investigate the same sex club, but didn’t bother telling each other their plans?” I could see the comic possibilities inherent in the idea, especially when the hero and heroine (and the secondary hero and heroine) fall in love, but can’t believe they’d be attracted to someone who either works in or frequents such a hedonistic establishment. They’re very relieved to discover they’re all in law enforcement! I’m pleased to report that AT HER COMMAND has received great reviews, and I’ve had requests for a sequel.

CAROL ANN: **Marcia's dog crawls across the table and onto Carol Ann's lap** What makes your book so different from any other? **Carol Ann avoids a doggie kiss**

MARCIA: AT HER COMMAND straddles the line between a hot romance and an erotic one. It has a traditional (aka “non-kinky”) hero and heroine who find themselves fish-out-of-water in their undercover location. But since that location is a sex club, there’s detailed information about the types of things that happen in a place like that, which makes the book more risqué than your average sexy romance. I believe the book appeals to a wide-range of people, including those who are curious about alternative practices, such as the viewers who tune into the CSI TV shows when they have a kinky storyline. One author of “sweet” romances emailed me to say she enjoyed my book and received “quite an education” while she was being entertained. ;-D

CAROL ANN: Do you have any collections? Um besides dogs? **Carol Ann hands the dog back to Marcia**

MARCIA: I collect snails – not the real ones, but glass figurines, garden statues, etc. It started when I was very young and used to doodle in circles that resembled snail shells. Since snails have the reputation for being VERY slow, I don’t use a snail as my logo. ;-D But there is a caricature of a snail on my Web site’s “Contact Me” page.

CAROL ANN: Thank goodness, you don't collect the real ones! I think they're kind of creepy. Say, wouldn't it be funny to have a snail in one of your books? You know, like maybe it gets loose and crawls up...no! Shame on me!! **Marcia and Carol Ann laugh** Okay, I'm sorry. Let's be serious. Who keeps you inspired to continue writing?

MARCIA: It’s a three-way tie between my wonderful husband, my great critique partner (Kensington author Patricia Sargeant), and myself. I enjoy fiction writing so much, that I’d continue to write romance novels even if I wasn’t selling my manuscripts. But nothing can beat the support of family and friends.

CAROL ANN: How do you come up with the titles for your books?

MARCIA: The title AT HER COMMAND comes from the premise of that book and foreshadows the Dark Moment. But I’m also a big fan of alliteration and have been using it to name the manuscripts in my as-yet-unsold comic mystery series, which is currently with three publishers. The series features a sex therapist heroine who solves murders as an amateur sleuth. The first in the series is SEX & THE SINGLE THERAPIST, followed by DEATH & THE DOUBLE ENTENDRE and MURDER & THE MENAGE A TROIS. I also like the idea that there’s a hint in the titles to help readers know the order of the books in the series: “single”, “double”, and “trois”.

CAROL ANN: I love it! You are a guru at promoting yourself. Can you give us less knowledgeable writers a few hints?

MARCIA: Thanks for the compliment! ;-) My background is in PR and marketing, so I’ve been applying what I know to author promotion. That said, I continue to learn all I can from established authors and creative newbies on my Romance Writers of America email loops. I’m co-presenting a PR workshop at September’s Central Ohio Fiction Writers’ conference and at the April 2008 Chicago “Spring Fling” conference. For those events, I’ve developed a “living document” on author PR, which I give freely to any author who’d like it as a seed file to start their own. Just go through my Web site and request it.

Other than that, here’s some suggestions: Lock in your author domain name and create your Web site (at least on paper) BEFORE you sell. Brand yourself and promote your brand as much or more than you promote your individual books. Google your proposed slogan (mine is “Hot, Humorous Romances”) before you commit to it to make sure it’s unique. Take advantage of the many free PR opportunities for authors out there – especially the chance to be interviewed (like this!), guest-blog, and participate in online chats. If you have the time, post comments on other authors’ blogs. All of these things increase the number of hits you’ll get when Googled. Come up with a creative idea for bringing people to your Web site. An example of this is author Paige Cuccaro’s “Writer’s Cave” Web site pages. (http://www.paigecuccaro.com/html/the_cave.html) She puts photos of authors’ offices on her site for free and has pages of them now. Readers love to see where their favorite authors work. The Writer’s Cave is a great PR idea! Depending on your finances, you can check into the many online sites that will promote an author for a fee. I haven’t tried any of these, but I wouldn’t rule it out for the future. And don’t forget to promote to the general public, not just to established romance readers. You can send press releases to your college’s alumni association and to your home town newspaper, as well as to trade publications and newsletters of associations that would have an interest in your book. For example, since I have a crestie dog in my books, I have posted on a Chinese Crested message board. You can also come up with a creative tie-in to your books for your promotional giveaways and on your Web site. I give away thumbcuff keychains that relate to the law enforcement protagonists in my books and also remind the reader that my books contain some kinky elements. On my Web site, instead of a blog, I have a funny sex advice column “written” by my sex therapist heroine.

CAROL ANN: Wow, you've given me so great ideas, and I'm sure the blog studio as well. Thanks for being so generous. Most authors I interview are romance authors, and you are no exception. There are all kinds of romance novels, just as there are all kinds of romances. Our world is made up of romance. You can find it everywhere. Tell me, what does the word “romance” mean to you?

MARCIA: “Romance” means unconditional love, respect, commitment, and trust. Trust is an ongoing theme in my books. Many of my protagonists have been hurt in the past and have trust issues. When they finally let down their defenses, they are hurt again by a loved one who either didn’t return their trust and/or lied to them. My law enforcement heroes in particular have an unfortunate habit of putting their jobs before their personal lives and withholding information from (or misleading) the heroines, in the name of doing their undercover work. But they learn their lesson in the end. ;-)

CAROL ANN: Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword? Why?

MARCIA: Yes, because the written word can be incredibly persuasive and empowering, can be disseminated easily and widely, and can live on long after the writer’s death.

CAROL ANN: That is so true. Marcia, I have truly enjoyed having you in the studio today. And my, look how fast the time passed. Oh, my, what is that dog doing? Does it have to...you know?

MARCIA: Whoops! Yes, I think I'd better get the dog to the nearest fire hydrant. Thanks for having me. **Marcia waves at the audience as she runs off stage. A strange wet trail is left in her wake**The audience laughs and the camera rolls over the credits

Visit Marcia and learn more at:www.MarciaJames.net

AT HER COMMAND is now available in print as well as e-book!!

To order the paperback (ISBN: 9781419956201), go to Cerridwen Press Print

Or order a paperback copy from Amazon here.

To order the e-book(ISBN: 1-4199-0704-2), go toCerridwen Press E-book

A Day in This Writer's Life

This is one day that I'd like to forget!

8:00AM - arrive at work and ensure everything is arranged for the big high-level meeting with members from our corporate headquarters.

8:15AM - boss calls. He didn't receive itinerary for one leg of his flight for September 25th.

9:00AM - travel agency opens. Call and get message that the agency isn't open yet.

9:15AM - call travel agency and get put on hold. Five minutes later, bounce back to operator, who puts me in priority queue. Ten minutes later get connected with someone named Debbie. She tells me that they didn't have an email address to send the e-ticket to. Funny...we use this agency for all our corporate travel, and both my boss and I have always received our e-tickets via email before. But, I give her my email address, she assures me she will send it immediately.

10:00AM - still haven't received email. Boss comes in. Says "we" will need to get lunches brought in for everyone in meeting.

10:10AM - I knock on conference room door and interrupt with list of sandwich choices.

10:12AM - Take coffee, cups, sugar, cream, and stirrers into meeting and set up. Collect lunch orders.

10:20AM - call to place pick up order for box lunches. Ask if I can pick them up at 11:15. Nope. Won't be able to have them ready until 11:30. Okay. Place order.

10:30AM - still haven't received email.

10:45AM - receive email from office manager. The vending machines are being removed. If anyone wants anything now is the time to get it! Nice to get advance notice. WHEN are they being removed and WHY? Well, the man isn't making enough money off us, so he's in the process of removing the machines right now in the warehouse, so he'll be in the office next. GREAT! I have big-wigs from our Dallas corporate office in here for a meeting, they are expecting to get drinks from the machine for lunch...and instead they will see a man REPOSSESSING THE MACHINES!!!!

11:00AM - go to Marketing manager and beg for samples of FIJI water for corporate lunch. Got lucky. Put 12 bottles in refrigerator to cool.

11:15AM - leave to pick up lunches. It has been raining and I have on shoes with no backs and toes out. Wade through puddles and enter restaurant. Glasses fog up. Wave them in the air until they clear and I can walk without bumping into things. Go to pick up counter - clearly marked as such. Several minutes later, clerk working register on my left says there is no drawer in the register at the pick up. Walk to end of long line of people waiting to place their lunch orders. Two minutes later another clerk inserts a drawer in the register for pick ups. I leave line and go back to register just in time for this person to walk away. Nope, I'm not moving again! Same gal that questioned me the first time now asks, "Are you here to pick up an order?" Well, duh! No, I'm here to see how long it takes to get annoyed enough to get arrested for battery. Here's your sign!!! So I tell her yes, give her my name and finally she brings my two huge shopping bags full of box lunches. I hand her my boss' credit card, forge his signature and leave. Okay, now I've got both hands loaded down with these heavy bags, my purse, and my keys hanging on one finger. I can't sit the bags down because it's wet and the bottoms will come out. I step back, my shoe comes off and my foot is in a puddle. Great! Finally I get the car unlocked and put the bags in the back seat...and realize both bags seem to be even. Umm, I ordered eleven lunches. Take a count. Sure enough only ten lunches. Gather bags, walk back into store, fuming. Same clerk: "Is something wrong?" Duh! "Nope, I'm just practicing my model runway walk. Here's your sign!" So, I tell her that I ordered 11 lunches and only have ten. She gets the recept and waves it in my face. Nope, see "she" wrote ten lunches. Me: I don't care what she wrote. I ordered eleven lunches and I NEED eleven lunches. I grab the receipt and look at the written order. I point out the vegetarian sandwich, which is not in my bags nor on the ring up sheet. She reads it and says "I'll go check." CHECK WHAT????? Just get me a vegetarian box lunch!!! Seven minutes later I get a vegetarian box lunch. Clerk rings up the additional order. I forge my boss' signature again. Stomp out of the restaurant, forgetting about the wet puddles until the water begins to seep into my stockings. Finally get the bags back in the car. Drive to work. Park. Get out. It begins to rain. Time now: 12:20.

12:20 - Set up lunches in lunch room. Receptionist tells me that our office vending machines aren't being removed after all. **sigh** Get bottled water from fridge and put on tables with lunches.

12:22 - One of the corporate bigwigs stops me in lunch room to tell me that when he arrived at the Hilton late, tired, and ready to crash they had given away his "guaranteed" room because someone had called to cancel it because his plane was cancelled!!! He raised a big ruckus, and got the general manager involved. They offered him a smoking room. Not acceptable. Finally they put him up at the Marriott and paid for the room. He just wanted me to know. **sigh**

12:30 - still haven't received email. Call the Hilton to complain. Accounting asks ME if I figured out who cancelled the room. Well, duh! Yeah. I figured it out. Someone in YOUR organization gave the room away for no earthly reason, or one of your incredible dumb reservation clerks cancelled the wrong freaking room!! Just make sure we receive NO charges on the credit card I used to guarantee the room.

Go to lunch.

1:30 - still haven't received email. Man walks into my office and introduces himself. He begins to talk about the products he wants to have on his table at our holiday shows (which I'm neck deep in coordinating). I pleasantly smile and give him the forms to fill out. The first form is the one which was due to me on JUNE 15 to reserve space!!! Now I have to go back to the venues and change my contract to add a table.

2:00 - still haven't received email. Spend the next two hours frustrated with trying to work out all the details on the holiday show late responses. By now, I'm starting to lose my hair. My feet are killing me. I'm thirsty and in too much pain to hobble to the vending machine which is still standing in the lunch room.

4:00 - still haven't receive email. Call travel agency again. Get put on hold for five minutes. Bounce back to receptionist. Put in priority queue. Five minutes later am connected with a rep, not the one I spoke with earlier. Repeat my quest for an email confirmation and e-ticket. "We received a message that your email came back with an invalid address." Okay, so they left the "t" off my name. Fix. It.

4:30 - FINALLY RECEIVE EMAIL. Forward it to my boss.

4:45 - Chat with marketing manager about lack of response from two of his vendors. Receive multiple excuses. I insist that if I don't get the list of wines, then I'm giving their table to the new guy. Hah! Then I won't have to change that contract.

4:55 - Receive the list of wines from the two vendors. Still have to change that contract. Also receive a nice bottle of Cylcel Gladiator Rose Wine.

5:00 - Leave work determined to come home and drink the entire bottle of wine.

But I didn't. I did take a picture of this cute little piggy bank I got from my RWA writing group on Saturday. Isnt' it cute!!



And that's about when I'll have the funding to actually retire...when pigs fly!!!

So, how was your day???

The End Again

Nose to the grindstone, I made a goal to finish editing and writing this novel today. Last night I stayed up until all I had to write was the very last chapter...the ending. I knew what I wanted to happen, but not quite how I'd begin the chapter, so I went to bed thinking about it.

Got up at 6:30am to get ready for church and didn't have time to do any work on it beforehand. Got home around noon, went grocery shopping. Finally at 3pm I sat in front of the computer and began to write. I love when I don't really know what my characters are going to do or say. The story just seems to come out somehow. And the whole chapter did just that. I haven't gone back to read it, because when I finished I thought it was a bunch of garbage. I suppose all writers have that tendency to think their work is substandard. But I did it! It's finished.

Um, that is until I print it out and read it all again. **sigh** I'm already sick to death of the story. And, I'm sure there will be some pages where I missed a few things that will have to be corrected and then printed again...and I still have to expand upon the synopsis. My goal is to finish reading it by bedtime tomorrow night. And I will have the synopsis finished by Tuesday night. Wednesday is my deadline for mailing the whole kit and kaboodle to Steeple Hill.

And...the waiting will begin again. I'm sure it won't be a quick three week turnaround like the request was.

I plan to take a week off and read my latest Dean Koontz novel. Then I'll go back to the WIP which is nearly at the half way point.

There is never rest for an author...especially one who has to work a full-time day job besides.

Oh, before I go...yesterday afternoon I attended my RWA local chapter meeting. Had a great presentation by Lori Foster and Dianne Castell. It was how to write when your whole world has gone to hell. I came away very inspired. I think that's why I managed to finish JOSHUA'S HOPE today. But...here's the fun part. At our meetings, if we have bad news (i.e. rejections), or good news (requests, or we submit something) then we get to "dive" into a goody basket. Since I had a request for my full, I dove in and got the cutest piggy bank. It's hard rubber and the piggy has cute black eyes and...WINGS!!! Yep, and on it's back are the words: Writer's Retirement Fund. Very appropriate, I think.

Good night, and thanks for reading!

The Joy of Editing

Non writers just don't get it. They believe that a book is written and instantly should be available for purchase. No one understands all the long hours spent AFTER the book is written.

I was fortunate enough to receive some great advice from advance readers for JOSHUA'S HOPE. Now I've been immersed in taking that advice and making my story stronger. That required a complete read through and a jotting of notes in the margins with ideas for rewriting passages, and in some cases entire chapters.

I'm nearing the end and it is all going to be fresh new writing to incorporate all the changes I've made in the first three quarters of the book. For me that is exciting. Why?

I have a much deeper knowledge of my characters and their motivations. I'm psyched up to carry them through the brightest hour, the darkest moment, and the uplifting ending. Writing endings is my favorite part of being an author.

I would encourage everyone who is beginning their writing journey to consider finding readers to help them with strengthening their stories. What we as an author feel is a perfect manuscript may fall short in a reader's eyes. Don't rely on your friends or your family to give you constructive criticism. Most of them won't want to hurt your feelings. And if you are the type whose feelings are easily hurt, then don't consider being a writer. In order to succeed, you do have to grow a thick alligator skin and also be able to know what to keep and what to throw away when it comes to advice.

Then you, too, will find the joy in editing.

Have a great day and thanks for reading.

Author Interview with Dr. Barbara Holstein

As the audience applauds, the curtain raises and Carol Ann walks on stage, bows, and smiles. "Hello, everyone! I'm so happy to be back with you today. This past week has been very hectic. I visited a dear friend in North Carolina, and just got back into town. Everything about my trip was wonderful. The scenery was spectacular, but I have to confess that I have a phobia about driving across bridges that have those metal frames above them. You know the ones I'm talking about? I freeze whenever I start driving over them. Had to cross two of them on the way, and darn if those same two weren't waiting for me on the way back!"




AUDIENCE LAUGHS




"Today we have another very special guest in the blog studio. This lady is making a virtual book tour and I'm looking forward to meeting her. How about you?"




AUDIENCE APPLAUDS




"All right, then! Let's get her out here. Blog studio audience please make welcome Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein--Psychologist, Happiness Coach & Author!"




AUDIENCE WHOOPS AND APPLAUDS ASDR. HOLSTEIN WALKS FROM BEHIND THE CURTAINS.




CAROL ANN: Welcome to the Blog Studio, Dr. Holstein.




BARBARA: Please call me Barbara, Carol Ann.

(Picture of Dr. Barbara Holstein and her book cover)


BOTH WOMEN WALK TO THE FACING LOVESEATS ANGLED SLIGHTLY TOWARD THE AUDIENCE.

CAROL ANN: Barbara, Please tell me about your book. It looks so interesting and everything I've read makes me want to rush out and buy a copy.


BARBARA: The Truth, I'm Ten, I'm Smart and I Know Everything is a book I'm so proud of. It is a brand new way to help women and girls focus on what is right and heroic and wonderful about themselves. What if we could carry THE TRUTH from girlhood to adulthood? That priceless "truth" that we all recognize as kids? adulthood?What if we could pass the gift of our early wisdom and brilliance along to our children, giving them permission to hold on to their most precious jewels?I think I've found a way in THE TRUTH, I'm Ten, I'm Smart and I Know Everything. The Truth is a delightful, humorous secret diary, written by a girl who is 10-11 years of age. She is wise and yet so innocent. She makes us cry and laugh and remember ourselves. Behind this very easy read is the psychological message to the women reading THE TRUTH that they can and must recapture the fire and passion of their girlhoods not only for themselves to flourish and be happy, but for the next generation to also have the gifts of good emotional and spiritual health.



CAROL ANN: Where did you come up with the idea for this book?



BARBARA: As a positive psychologist I have always been determined to share and teach positive psychological concepts in a self help manner that truly works. I did that in all my previous books, starting with THE ENCHANTED SELF, A Positive Therapy and later with Recipes for Enchantment, The Secret Ingredient is YOU! The question was how continue to do that and not be dry or tedious. How could I pass on the wisdom I have the privilege of understanding and using in a way that women would enjoy the read and still use the inspiration from my book to integrate more fully all the positive parts of themselves and not shy away from their own powers to create a fabulous life for themselves? How also could I create a read that would help women and their daughters communicate more openly and honestly so that girl would be able to trust that as they grew up they would come into their own and not have to 'sell out.'
The answer to my question was to let the 'girl' come alive. The 'girl' is the ten, soon to be 11 year old who began to emerge as I started to draft this book. The more she came alive, the easier it was for my message to come through. I soon saw that I needed to let go of her and allow her to more away from me- become her own character who knew exactly the book she wanted to write. And she wrote it!



CAROL ANN: I can relate to that. It's true that our characters really do write their stories. Tell me, who is the target audience for your book?




BARBARA: My primary target audience with this edition of THE TRUTH is women. My secondary market with this edition is girls, ages 10-14. However, there will be a special girl's edition of THE TRUTH with a different introduction and questions out later this fall.



CAROL ANN: What do you hope your readers gain from reading this book?



BARBARA: I hope women will get back in touch with their earlier passions and wisdom. I hope they will laugh aloud and remember themselves in a new, favorable light as they join energies with the girl. I also hope they will feel an appreciation of their daughters that will result in more open sharing and loving between mom and daughter. I hope girls will rejoice in finding a soulmate and feel more courageous to approach their mother's for open conversation and also have more courage to hold on to what is most precious about themselves.



CAROL ANN: As a writer, not a psychologist, what does the word romance mean to you?



BARBARA: Romance means enchantment with life and with oneself. It means finding mystery, newness, adventure and contentment in what happens next to ourselves or to another. It means having lots of available energy and passion! We can romance life, or a meal, a wonderful sleep or a lover! The possibilities are endless.



CAROL ANN: You probably thought you'd appear on this show and just talk about your book, but we do things differently here. I like to show the audience more about the guests I interview. You know, kind of let them know that we are just people, too. So, my first "off the wall" question is this. Your life is about to become a movie. What will the title be?

BARBARA: Wow-let's see. I would say, Romancing The Truth.

CAROL ANN: What is a normal day for you?

BARBARA: I see clients and/or write, take care of all the usual family chores, take care of myself, spend time with my husband and/or family and grandkids. I like to have some time to myself but I also crave to be with people I care about. When I travel I love to shop and see what people like to eat and wear, read, etc. in a new place.

CAROL ANN: When you are down, who can make you laugh?

BARBARA: Some of my friends, my husband, my grandkids and good news.

CAROL ANN: Do you collect anything?

BARBARA: We used to collect antiques but we have too many! I collect my writings and my impressions about life. I collect information that I think will be useful. I collect ways to stay healthy, herbs to fight off food poisoning, etc.

CAROL ANN: Those sound like great collections. You don't have to dust them off! **both laugh** Oh, Barbara, the time has flown by. See that guy over there? He's been giving me the hand slicing gesture across the neck. Guess that means, we need to wrap up the interview. One last question. Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword?

BARBARA: Of course-words are our treasure-they set us apart from other living creatures and give us a way to create new world and to solve problems.

CAROL ANN: Thanks so much for stopping by on your tour. I've really enjoyed having you. before you leave, will you please tell the audience where can we purchase your book?

BARBARA: On my website, http://www.enchantedself.com/ and of course on http://www.amazon.com/. I am selling THE TRUTH, I'm Ten, I'm Smart and I Know Everything! on sale now at my site.

CAROL ANN: Thanks again.

AUDIENCE APPLAUDS AS CAROL ANN AND BARBARA LEAVE THE STAGE.

CAMERA ROLLS OVER THE FOLLOWING CREDITS WHERE THE AUDIENCE CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. HOLSTEIN AND HER BOOKS.

http://www.marthathrowbridge.com/ , http://www.goodnewsbroadcast.com/ , http://www.religionandspirituality.com/

Great News in My Mailbox Tonight...

The query letter and synopsis which I mailed on July 10 to Steeple Hill for JOSHUA'S HOPE has already received a response!! They want me to submit the entire manuscript.

I am so excited! I didn't expect to hear so soon and when I saw that letter from Harlequin, I cringed. Didn't want to open it. Wanted to open it. Heart pounding I told myself it was just another rejection letter. Especially when I noticed only two short lines for the body of the letter. But it wasn't a rejection!! Very simply stated, the letter thanked me for my query and asked for the full manuscript and a synopsis.

This is the publisher I have been targeting for six years and I'm praying this will be my foot in the door, so to speak. If they buy this manuscript, it will be a dream come true for me.

Okay, nose to the grindstone now. I must, must, must do a thorough edit and make several revisions based on feedback from advance readers.

Taking a deep breath, and preparing for the dive.....

Later, my friends. Wish me luck!!

Author Interview with Lisa Logan

The camera pans over the Blog Studio audience as the show begins. Today, we see several country music artists in the group (everyone knows Carol Ann loves country music). First waving and smiling is the beautiful and very talented Martina McBride. The camera continues to pan while the audience is yelling and clapping and we see another great country star...no, two country stars...Faith Hill and Tim McGraw!! The band begins to play and the camera pans to the stage where we see a tall, lanky man, wearing a white hat, a sport coat, and ragged knee jeans. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome country music superstar Alan Jackson. Alan begins to sing, "A Woman's Love".



The audience goes wild. Carol Ann enters from stage right, applauding and grinning.



Alan takes a bow. Carol Ann shakes his hand and thanks him for opening the show.



"Wow! Alan Jackson, ladies and gentlemen. Wasn't he great?"



When the audience applause lessens, Carol Ann takes her seat in the blog studio interview area.



CAROL ANN: Now that's what I call a wonderful opening. I love country music. Oh, hi Faith! Hi Tim! Oh, and Martina! Hello. I'm so honored to have all of you in the audience today. We have another guest who is just backstage waiting to come out and tell us all about her first full length novel, VISIONS. Please put your hands together and make welcome, author Lisa Logan!



Audience applauds. Carol Ann holds up a book and the camera pans in.

CAROL ANN: Welcome, Lisa. So glad you could be with us today. This is a gorgeous cover. The audience is as eager as I am to hear more about your story. Please tell us about it.

LISA: VISIONS is the tale of a movie star turned real-life hero, when he bumps into a stranger and somehow acquires her psychic abilities. Can he use his newfound powers to find his mysterious benefactor in time to fulfill their romantic destiny--and save her from certain danger?

CAROL ANN: Oooh, you are good. You tell us just enough to get us intrigued enough to want more. **laugh** Guess we'll have to buy the book to learn all about those psychic abilities and the romance.

How did the idea for this book generate?

LISA: From a dream, actually! I dreamt someone touched a psychic and was suddenly imbued with their powers. The idea, though I could find no factual basis for it, intrigued me...and before long this had sprouted into the premise for my book.

CAROL ANN: That's fascinating. I've never been able to remember enough about my dreams to turn them into a story. Of course my dreams always seem to feature me in some weird kind of twisted video flash. **grin** How many novels did you write before becoming published?

LISA: VISIONS was my first full-length novel, though it took me nearly a year and a half to beat the challenge of moving from short fiction work to novel.

CAROL ANN: What do you have planned in the near future?

LISA: I have two books under consideration right now: a murder mystery titled TWELVE STEPS TO MURDER, and the first of a series of red hot novellas called SUITE SEDUCTION. I also just signed a contract for the lead story in a Twisted Fayry Tales anthology.

CAROL ANN: Sounds like you are on the path to many more successes. A lot of Blog Studio fans want to know if I have a place of my own in which I write. What does your writing space look like?

LISA: Our dining area has been converted into a nook, where a large desk houses my entire writing universe. I utilize Feng Shui in my writing space, though clutter tends to make it less ideal than I'd like.

CAROL ANN: I can relate to that. It's so hard to keep a writing desk uncluttered! I have to confess that my writing office is the most cluttered room in our house. I'm currently working on a manuscript and I'm close to the half way point, but I still don't have a title for it. How do you decide on a title for your books?

LISA: Usually they just come to me--sometimes before the idea for the book itself. Such was the case with TWELVE STEPS TO MURDER: the titled popped into my head, then I started wondering what that book would be about. So far I've been at a loss only once, and my husband saved the day by coming up with SUITE SEDUCTION.

CAROL ANN: Ah, a supportive spouse. That's always a plus. Here's a question I love asking my guests. What does the word romance mean to you?

LISA: As a life concept or a genre? Hmm, then again, I imagine my definition is the same either way: both are rather confusing to figure out at times, but offer the wildest ride of one's life. I highly recommend it.

CAROL ANN: Lisa, do you have any pets? I've heard it said that people resemble their pets. Is that true for you?

LISA: I've had no pets for close to ten years now, though I've had the usual menagerie before then: cats, dogs, fish, birds, hamsters. Right now we have a preschooler to chase after, and she's plenty!

CAROL ANN: Do you collect anything? If so, tell me about your collection and how you got started.

LISA: I've collected many things in the past, but we've moved down to a small apartment where I've adopted a no-nonsense approach. Besides, if I tried to collect anything there'd be no room for my husband's massive collection of movie costumes and props!

CAROL ANN: Ah ha! So, tell us about this collection of your husband's. Is this collection what prompted your character in VISIONS to be a movie star?

LISA: My husband is an actor, costumer, and prop maker who has worked in the film industry. His love of movies and acting has much to do with this hobby, which he began as a teenager and is now a large part of his livelihood as well. While none of this is why Trenton Dane a movie star, his character is a complex blend of actors I know personally, as well those I've seen in the media. As such, my husband might just show up as a glimmer in Trenton's eye.

CAROL ANN: I'll just bet it does! Carol Ann holds up the book VISIONS again. Audience, please be sure to visit Lisa's website to learn more about her book and future work. I hope you are as intrigued as I am to buy Lisa's book. Lisa, final question. Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword? Why?

LISA: The pen is mightier than the sword, and the tongue can cleave a sword in two. Words are powerful, and can be used to soothe, to heal, to love, to encourage--and to wound more deeply than any steel blade. What sword can boast all that?

CAROL ANN: What sword, indeed! Thank you again, Lisa for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us in the Blog Studio today.

The television screen marquees info for Lisa Logan.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LISA LOGAN

A Call from an Old Friend...

brightened my day, today! I used to live in Maryland and I met my girlfriend, Doris when we worked together. She would come visit our apartment with her two kids and we'd spend days at the pool. We became the very best of friends the five years I was in the D.C. area. We have continued to keep in touch. Our families have met in Tennessee and spent some time together, we've gone to visit in West Virginia, and they have been here as well. Getting caught up on things via the telephone rather than just letters was so wonderful.

This has made me think about why I haven't called her. I have unlimited long distance, so there is no excuse! Sometimes I get so caught up in my day to day life, keeping commitments, working, writing, visiting family that I forget about the "sister" who has always been there for me.

Time to reprioritize!

Day in This Author's Life

This morning I slept in until 8:30am. I felt I deserved it because I had such a productive day yesterday. Since I wrote double my planned goal of pages on my manuscript, I decided to spend the day pampering me.

After dressing, I ate a leisurely breakfast at Bob Evan's, before meeting with my sexy hairdresser. He's sooooo perfect. Not only does he do wonders for my hair, he also does wonders for my body. Who couldn't relax under his scalp and neck massage? Especially after drinking a glass of champagne, which he always has cooling for me. I hated to leave. The day only got better when he told me today was "on the house." Imagine!

Next I drove to the dealership to try that key I received in the mail. Imagine my sssurprise when it opened the door to that shiny red Corvette! Yes!! I'm now the proud owner of a brand new toy. Of course, I spent the rest of the day cruising and waving at everyone I saw.

Had dinner at my favorite steak house, Longhorn. One delicious steak, baked potato, and salad.

After stuffing myself, I came home, took a long leisurely bath while reading Dean Koontz's latest novel.

Now, I'm sitting here in my silk negligee writing this blog.

NOT!!!!!!

Actually, this morning at 3:15am, a horrendous thunderstorm disturbed me from my sleep. I tossed and turned for an hour until it subsided. Then the cat jumped on the bed beside me. I petted him and tried to go back to sleep. Didn't work. Finally at 4:45am, I got up, went to the couch and read a few pages of a new Steeple Hill Love Inspired Romantic Suspense.

Hubby walked out and commented on me being up so early. He took a drink of water, asked me to get him up at 6:45 and went back to bed.

I took a quick shower, ate a bowl of shredded wheat, and got ready for work. Woke up hubby.

Went to my day job, where I pounded the keyboard and made my eyes cross with a tedious data entry job. At lunch, I sat in my car and edited the first three chapters of my completed novel while another thunderstorm thrashed my car.

Finished the data entry job. Five minutes before clocking out of the day job, another thunderstorm rolled in. Yep, a heavy rain, dark sky, and after waiting five minutes with no let up, I ran to my car.

Drove home.

Plugged away on my latest manuscript completing four and a half pages while being interrupted several times by hubby.

Now, with swollen ankles from the heat and sitting so long, I'm typing this blasted blog before heading to bed. The bed I put fresh sheets on earlier.

**sigh** I miss that Corvette already.

Wednesday - Bump in the Road

Horoscope for the day: It feels as if a million choices are lined up and waiting for your decision. Distill them down to their essence, then figure out for yourself whether it's yes or no. Listen to your heart, then make your move.

**************************

Not exactly a bump in the road, but a decision to make. Received critique of Joshua's Hope from one of my advance readers, who is a multi-published author with Harlequin and others. She gave me some wonderful feedback and suggestions to make the story stronger. Now, here is the decision. How do I fit this in and still make my five pages a day?

Authors have to learn how to juggle many writing projects at once, a dilemma in itself, but even more so when the author has a full-time job. I do work in the day, but I'm lucky and only have to work 8 to 5, and no overtime, no weekends. That gives me a firm schedule to work around. I've set my five pages to be accomplished in the evenings. I shoot to do 25 to 30 pages a week, so that allows me one evening when I don't have to write on my current project. However, I have this blog to keep up, and author interviews to schedule and put together, promotions on the internet, and now I've added edits to a completed manuscript.

That kind of makes the horoscope for today fit my life.

Nothing is impossible as long as you want to make it happen. And I do. So, I've made my decision. Instead of reading on my lunch hour, I will use that hour to work on edits. There's no set time I must complete these (which wouldn't be true if I'd received them from my editor). I'm waiting to hear back from Steeple Hill as to whether or not they want to read the manuscript. That will be a few months and plenty of time to do revisions.

Setting a schedule, and committing to it, is the key to success.

****************
Today I finally got into Vox and had received an apology from the person who had published my work on her blog. She promised to take it down immediately.

Boring Day...

Today I finished six pages of my novel and revamped my My Space page. Other than that it was a non eventful day.

I did send a private message to the person who had my story posted on their blog politely asking that she remove it. I had to join Vox to do that. I received a response to her message, but now Vox is down due to a power outage in San Francisco, so I don't know what she has to say.

I started on an exercise regime last week, and I'm feeling a lot better. So far on track to complete my yearly goals.

Vox??? Copyright Infringement

Tonight I was googling my name, which I do frequently. I ran across a bunch of "vox" blogs that had my name attached. Why?

Someone had posted a story which Chicken Soup for the Soul contracted and published in three different books:

Chicken Soup for the Soul Celebrates Mothers
Chicken Soup to Inspire A Woman's Soul
Chicken Soup for Mothers and Daughters II

The story was posted exactly as it was printed in Chicken Soup for the Soul Celebrates Mothers, which is a small hard back book with pictures by Sharon J. Wolmuth. While I appreciate the blogger crediting the work to me, it is copyrighted material and permission must be granted by the publisher for it to be reproduced.

So now I must go join Vox so I can post a comment asking this blogger to remove the material.

Sneaky Little Gremlins

Every time I go to My Space, I wind up with some of those "little risk" spyware things on my computer. I run my program and clean them from my computer. I probably know just enough about putting together a website to be dangerous, but when it comes to creating backgrounds and stuff for My Space...forget it! Don't have a clue. So...I have to go to those sites where there are premade layouts.

My daughter put her site up and I loved her background. She got it from a neat little place called Webfetti. I knew you had to agree to have their "toolbar" installed and I've always shied away from doing that. She said she didn't have any problem and it hadn't affected her internet explorer at all. So...I went against my better judgement and installed the darn thing.

I played around and added a new layout to my site, but I didn't like the color for the links being white. Couldn't figure out how to change the color, so I went back on the site and looked around at some other layouts. Somehow I closed down everything accidentally. My handy dandy little program began scanning and I had over 200 spy items on my computer! About 1/4 of them said "high risk". I managed to remove them all and restart my computer. That got rid of the Webfetti toolbar, too.

So, now I'm stuck with the layout I don't particularly like. I hate having to worry about which sites I can go to without having these horrid trojans and things invade my computer. I've been thinking of removing my My Space page because of all the issues.

Then a couple of days ago, I'd been receiving emails about some "book" thing that other authors had joined and invited me to join. I wasn't even curious. I've got enough to maintain now. It began sweeping interest through my various loops, and then...someone posted that it was full of spyware. So glad I didn't fall for that one.

**Sigh** The internet is a scary place.

The Scene That Wouldn't Die

Before I decided to pursue writing as a second career, I would sit in my car during my lunch hour and write. I'd write a poem, or a journal entry, always something. One day a scene just popped into my head.

I saw a girl sitting alone on a rock looking out across a lake. She was lonely and bereft. Her name was Emily. I began to write. I captured all the sensory details in my mind and wrote that scene. Suddenly someone pushed her so hard she catapulted into the icy water. Before she overcame the shock and surfaced, hands gripped her legs and pulled her deeper. I finished the scene and some of her backstory. Her sister had been killed and the "killer" was pursuing her even though she had changed her name. She was on the run, but he wouldn't give up.

A few years later, after having several nonfiction stories published, I remembered that scene and decided to write "Emily's" story. I wrote a few chapters and decided something just wasn't right. So, I started playing "what if" and "why".

The story emerged into a totally different one. Emily became Beth, her sister became her twin, and the first chapters allowed the readers to see them together, feel the love, the bonding, and experience their "psychic bond." The story emerged into my romantic suspense novel, HIT AND RUN.

The scene appeared in the story, but it just didn't feel right. I tweaked it, and finally rewrote it. Here's the scene:

She sat on the dock, worn smooth from weather and age, and circled her legs with her arms. The sun warmed her back. She was at peace, wrapped in memories of happier times as she gazed across the water.

A fish jumped, creating ever-widening circles that ebbed toward shore. She turned her face up to the sky where fluffy white clouds billowed, moving and changing shape. When they were small, she and Jilly had been able to find shapes within the clouds. She could hear Jilly's juvenile voice calling, “Look, Beth, a dragon. See his tail and the fire coming from his mouth?”
So many pleasant memories surrounded her, filling her with a calming peace. She fished until the sun rose higher. Slipping off her shirt, she applied sun lotion as best she could in the areas her bathing suit didn't cover. She stretched out on a towel. The quiet lapping of the lake against the dock supports lulled her into closing her eyes. Though she didn't really fall asleep, her body relaxed and she drifted in hypnotic half-awareness.

Her stomach growled. If she weren't so comfortable, she'd open the cooler and eat lunch. The sun felt so good. The lapping against the supports increased a bit. Someone must be out on the lake in a boat, but she didn't want to open her eyes. Her muscles had totally relaxed and too soon she'd have to turn over to avoid burning. She drifted close to sleep, not wanting to move a muscle. Suddenly, an icy strong hand banded around her ankle and pulled her toward the water.

***************
HIT AND RUN is available through my publisher The Wild Rose Press in both print form and ebook formats.

You can also purchase from Fictionwise in ebook format.

If you want print format, you wlll also find it available at Amazon.com

Friday Tips for Pacing Your Novel

For years I read novels without really thinking about how they were structured. I just knew what I liked and what I didn't. "Pacing" was something I thought you did when you were worried and making a path in the carpet.



The first time I became aware of pacing was in reading Stephen King's novel, IT. He began to shorten the scenes and flashbacks, as the novel moved to the ending. I felt the tension building and building! I was riveted, unable to stop reading. If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it as a good example of pacing.



I use a "foreshadowing" in my romantic suspense novels, to build the tension. And I've incorporated King's faster pacing methodology into my novels.



It's important to remember not to throw a large amount of backstory into your writing. This slows down the pace and instead of moving the novel forward, it becomes suspended. A good method of giving backstory is to drop bits and pieces of into dialogue.



As the story continues, the intensity picks up, the stakes are higher. Keep the tension tight as you move toward the climax. This is my favorite part of the writing process, and also as a reader this is my favorite part of the book. This is where the brightest moment (that sense of euphoria comes to bear) and is quickly followed by the darkest moment (when all seems lost).



The climax is a good meets bad in a final standoff scene, which leads to the resolution or ending--the place where the main character has solved the problem and achieved the award.



And most important of all, don't disappoint your reader with a fast solution ending. And do remember to tie up all those subplots you've written along the way.

Author Interview with Evan Trevane and Shawn M. Casey

"Ladies and Gentlemen, it's time for....The Blog Studio!"

Applause, applause.

Band begins to play, and the curtain rises as Carol Ann enters the blog studio wearing an olive pin striped pant suit, her curly hair pulled back from her face with tortoise shell combs that match her glasses and earrings.

CAROL ANN: Thank you!!! It's great to be here today. Wow! What a wonderful audience! I think we'll lock the doors and glue your drawers and I'll have a great audience next time, too!

AUDIENCE LAUGHTER

CAROL ANN: Seriously, I'm thrilled that I can bring today's guests out to meet you. Yes, that's right. Plural. Guests!! I've been looking forward to having this interview for a long time. These two authors collaborate together to put out some spectacular and very entertaining stories. I had the pleasure of reading their first book. But let's bring them out so they can tell you about it. Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Evan Trevane and Shawn M. Casey!!

AUDIENCE APPLAUDS AND HOOTS AS THE GUESTS ENTER THE STUDIO AND TAKE SEATS ON THE SOFA OPPOSITE CAROL ANN.

CAROL ANN: Welcome! It's such an honor to finally meet you both.

EVAN: The pleasure is ours, Carol Ann. Thanks for inviting us.

SHAWN: Yes, thank you! As usual, Evan tries to speak for the both of us.

CAROL ANN: **laugh** You know, Shawn, you remind me so much of another author I interviewed a while back.

SHAWN: **tosses her long black hair over her shoulder. Her smile lights up her beautiful face with the very distinctive high cheekbones.** Really?

EVAN: Oh, I assure you, there is no one like Shawn, Carol Ann. She's one of a kind. **Evan's twinkling, piercing eyes dance with amusement, and his smile lifts his mustache.**

SHAWN: **pats Evan's hand.** Thank you. You're quite the charmer.

CAROL ANN: The audience is anxious to hear about the book you wrote together. **Carol Ann holds up a copy so the camera can get a closeup**

CAROL ANN: Who wants to start?

EVAN: I'll start.

SHAWN: Figures.

EVAN: The Pickle, My Little Friend. This short story is published by The Wild Rose Press. There, was that short enough?

SHAWN: **laughs** Oh, this is going to get good, isn't it? **Evan raises his eyebrows** Our current published title is a short e-book with The Wild Rose Press, THE PICKLE MY LITTLE FRIEND. This is a romantic mystery set just post WWII. Yes, the story is as unique as the title.

BLURB:

The ninth victim in the Bicycle Chain murders is found dead on his living room floor grasping a paper bag containing a pickle.Detective Jack Carter is working on the biggest murder case of his life. Which means, the last thing he needs is to find out that the one woman he has feelings for might be involved in the murders. Vicky Peik knows things, and one of those things is that her boss, Detective Jack Carter, is in over his head. Vicky has stayed a step ahead of Jack in her private investigation. Only problem is, despite her ability to sense the killer, he has managed to stay a step ahead of her. Something's wrong, and it's closer to home than Jack can imagine. Can Vicky find the killer before things go too far, and Jack can't get out?

CAROL ANN: I must admit the title alone was enough to make me buy this. I loved the story. It reminded me of the old detective novels I used to read.

SHAWN: That was Evan's input.

EVAN: Are you trying to make up?

CAROL ANN: They are just teasing, audience, I promise. When you both co-author a book, how do you actually work that? Evan, you first.

EVAN: We throw some ideas around and come up with a rough theme and an idea of what we want to write about. Then one of us writes the draft and the other does the rewrite. As the book develops, we trade sections as we finish them. The draft usually doesn’t get finished until long after the first parts have been rewritten a couple times. We end up talking about the plot and characters a lot so they evolve as the book progresses.

CAROL ANN: Shawn, anything to add?

SHAWN: Verrrry carefully. HA! In all seriousness, it’s a complicated process. We feed off one another’s energy, which is a real plus, but every detail must be choreographed down to the core so that nothing gets off track.All writers walk a tightrope, what info to ration out where, what is the underlying theme, what leads to what, etc. When writing solo, that information is stored in a single brain, and the author needn’t give a second thought to another author’s style, likes or dislikes. In a collaboration the very opposite is true. In order to preserve a combination of the two authors’ styles each author has to think just a little more about every proposed change. The real plus is that story rules supreme. Ego can’t exist. The art of listening is an absolute must. Considering your partner’s point of view, especially when your inclination is to disagree early on, is a prerequisite.
It might surprise some to learn that a good collaboration thrives on the differing perspectives. After all, if the collaborators never bring differences of opinion to the table, they don’t need one another. However, the two collaborators must share a bottom line vision. Otherwise, the differences become all that exist, and a partnership is impossible.

CAROL ANN: Where do you get the inspiration for your stories? Shawn, you first this time.

SHAWN: **big laugh** Absolutely everywhere and anywhere. Right, Evan?

EVAN: Absolutely. You never know when an idea will strike or you’ll notice something that will make an interesting story.

CAROL ANN: Evan, what is your writing process? Do you outline, research, or just write?

EVAN: Shorter works, we just write. Novel lengths take some outlining to stay on topic, and to give direction in the rewrite seeing as the draft is usually not done yet.

SHAWN: That is the $64 million dollar question. The one constant is research. That is our lifeblood to situations that where we have little or no personal experience. Other than that, we have yet to discover a single process. We have both outlined extensively, and flown by the seat of our pants—more or less. The novels we’ve outlined do evolve beyond the outlines, and we’re constantly updating the outline documents. Our first completed novel, FOR HIS EYES ONLY, a romantic thriller, was written with no real outline, but we did rehash that book so many times it oozed out our pours!

Unlike most collaborations, we do not write every other chapter or separate characters. Instead, we rewrite one another’s work until the story becomes an entity neither of us could have written alone. Our collaborations are different then our separate styles. Yet, at the same time, our personal styles peak out in wonderful one liners and phrases. This delights both Evan and I, as we are one another’s most ardent fans. **laugh** How could it possibly be otherwise?

CAROL ANN: I love the way you play off each other. It seems, Evan, that you are a man of few words. Quick, short and to the point, while Shawn elaborates more. I can see how the two of you would be a great writing team. Shawn, which comes first--characters or plot?

SHAWN: Another good question! Like most authors, we’ve begun some stories with the ‘what ifs.’ That might sound like plot comes first, but sometimes it’s a ‘what sort of person would be in a situation like this?’

Our soon to be completed second novel, KNOT OF THE SLAIN, a paranormal suspense, began with plot. We had a situation that interested us, and had to create characters that fit within those parameters.

Another planned novel is built around two characters from FOR HIS EYES ONLY. Characters came first in this novel, but we had a built in parameter of plot based on their history in the first novel.

CAROL ANN: Evan? Would you like to add to that?

EVAN: For me, it’s usually plot or theme. Rarely, I get a character in my head and have to write about him or her, but it’s mostly a plot or situation.

CAROL ANN: See what I mean? You thought plot came first, and Shawn thought characters came first in For His Eyes Only. Yet, you write so well together, no one would realize two different people write your stories except for the authors name on the cover. Okay, here's a question that you will each answer differently I'm sure. What is the last book you read? Evan?

EVAN: Pursuit, by Thomas Perry

SHAWN: Christopher Whitcomb’s WHITE. Great book.

CAROL ANN: Shawn, If you could be any age at all, what age would you choose and why?

SHAWN: 40. I was young enough to still have the energy to stay up late writing, and old enough not to care what anyone thought about my eccentricities.

EVAN: It all started when I was 23, so I would like to go back and change a thing or two I did. Just kidding. I think 30. That way, I’ll have a few years before I have to start using reading glasses.

CAROL ANN: Ah, the man is beginning to loosen up! Okay, Evan, your life is about to become a movie. What would the title be and why?

EVAN: Me and My Friends, because I couldn’t have done it alone.

SHAWN: Aw, that's sweet, Evan.

CAROL ANN: Shawn, how about you?

SHAWN: It’s a Crazy Life. **laugh** That’s gotta be self-explanatory!

CAROL ANN: Let's see how you differ on this one. What is your definition of the word "romance"?

SHAWN: Never getting bored with your significant other. Sounds hokey, eh?

CAROL ANN: Not at all! That's a great answer. Evan?

EVAN: The most wonderful thing that can happen between two people.

CAROL ANN: Now that's a very romantic answer! Well, it looks like I'm getting the signal to wrap it up. One last question for each of you. Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword? Why?

EVAN: The pen because the written word touches more people faster.

SHAWN: Without a doubt, the pen is mightier than the sword—which is really lucky for me, as I can hold a pen much longer than a sword! A sword can reach but a few people at any given time. The pen can reach millions. It’s no contest.

CAROL ANN: Thank you both! This has been so much fun. **Shawn and Carol Ann hug. Evan kisses Carol Ann's hand. Carol Ann blushes and grins at the audience.** Isn't he a charmer?

AUDIENCE GIVES A STANDING OVATION

SHAWN AND EVAN BOW

CAROL ANN: Audience, I suggest you hurry and buy THE PICKLE, MY LITTLE FRIEND. You can find it at The Wild Rose Press.

For more information about this great writing duo, check out their blog.

Thanks everone! And thank you Evan and Shawn!

The Cat in the Cabinet

We have a unique cat named Templeton. I swear he must have been a human in a previous life. He has the power to process what we do and replicate it. You can just see his mind churning. He loves to torment us by banging the kitchen cabinet doors. He'll sit on the floor, pull the door handle on the lower cabinets and bang it shut over and over and over again, until we go after him. Then he talks back. And he always has the last word. He's obsessed with doors. He tries to open the sliding glass patio doors. He just hasn't figured out how to unlock them or I think he'd manage. He's very strong. On our deck we have a large cabinet I used in my office years ago for storage. It's all wood with two doors in front. It's about waist high. I keep flowers on the top now, though it used to hold a printer. The doors are very snug. I have to tug to open them. But...Templeton has learned how to open them with ease. He starts by pulling with his paws on the round knob. He'll use both paws and then he gets his teeth into the action. Finally, he gets it open, and promptly jumps inside and lays on the shelf.

He opens the closet doors, and now he's taught Wilbur, his brother how to open closet doors. When Charlotte, his sister, wants in the action, he'll open the kitchen cabinet for her so she can climb on the shelves.

So many times I come home from work to find all my doors standing open.

**sigh** I wonder when he'll figure out how to turn on the shower?

When I Grow Up I Want to Be A Cat

This is my cat, Wilbur, enjoying the cool breeze through the window while I toil away on my computer trying to finish my page goal for the day. When I grow up, I want his job.

A Tragic Ghost Story

Today's headline story in the newspaper was about a nineteen year old girl who is recovering from a bullet that went through her skull. She is slowly regaining use of her limbs through therapy sessions. For a long time she had to wear a helmet to protect her skull until the surgeons could go in and repair it. The girl suffers from short term memory loss. She doesn't remember what happened to her.

The shooting occurred as a result of some girls out for fun trying to scare themselves by trespassing on property that is unkempt and overgrown with weeds. The house sits next to a cemetery. Thinking the house haunted, they decided to investigate as a lark to scare themselves before they started their senior year in high school. One girl remained in the car and honked the horn to scare them. They all ran and hopped in the car. As they drove away they heard popping noises. They thought someone was throwing firecrackers, so they circled around again. A sad mistake, for the firecrackers were gunshots.

The man who lived in the house with his mother had purchased a rifle for protection. The police no longer patrolled the cemetery and teens were constantly harrassing the pair. Twice in the previous few weeks, teens had tried to break into the house. He scared them off by firing his gun into the air. Just as he did that night. But one of the bullets struck a girl in the head.

A ghost story turned tragic. The man has been sentenced to nineteen years in jail. Debates go on about who was in the wrong. How far can one go to protect their property?

If you'd like to read the series of articles, you will find them at columbusdispatch.com

**********************************
I tried to do the Snowflake method, but it seemed way too long a process for me. I did flesh out my characters and completed an outline for my newest story. I'm 44 pages into writing it now. Haven't come up with a title yet.

Outlining - Day One

Today I began using the Snowflake Method to outline and plot my novel in progress.

Achievements today:
Step 1 - One Line Summary of Novel
Step 2 - Expanded paragraph describing story setup, major disasters, and ending of novel
Step 3 - Began storyline for characters

Since we'll be leaving tomorrow for a weekend camping trip, I won't be updating progress until my return.

JOSHUA'S HOPE - Day One - package hit post office today.

Suspense - The Beginning

I did it! I finally finished the "dreaded synopsis" and drafted a query letter. The entire package is now in the mail...heading off to Steeple Hill Books.

Now I'll be in suspense for several weeks or months until I hear whether or not they want to read a partial of Joshua's Hope. **sigh** I'll begin a countdown on my blog to show the number of days that pass until I hear. You can look for that beginning tomorrow.

So what does a writer do while they wait? They write! I will officially begin writing on my next manuscript immediately. Sorry, I don't have a title for it yet. It's a funny thing about titles. My books seem to name themselves, and no amount of pushing can force one to fit.

On Thursday, hubby and I will leave for a camping weekend where I hope to get lots of writing done. Wish me luck!

Author Interview with Paula Stiles

**The camera pans across the audience and back to the "blogger band" as they wrap up a lively medley. The audience applauds and the curtain raises. Carol Ann enters center stage.**

Good morning, blog studio audience! Thank you for coming out today. I see we have a full house! I'm glad to see so many faces here, since I have a very special guest today. Please put your hands together for a very multi-talented lady...Paula Stiles!

**Audience applauds loudly. Enter Paul Stiles from left stage.**

CAROL ANN: Paula, how nice to see you! I've been waiting a long time to meet you, and I'm thrilled that you are giving me the opportunity to talk to you so the audience can learn more about your books.

PAULA: Thank you! I'm so glad to be here with you all.

**Audience applauds**

CAROL ANN: Please tell me about the book you brought with you today. **Carol Ann holds up a book and the camera pans in.**

PAULA: It's a mystery SF thriller called "Fraterfamilias", out as an ebook and serial (and print book later this year) at Virtual Tales. I cowrote it with my friend Judith Doloughan under the pseudonym "Peter Ferrer". Though set in the present day, its backstory includes shamanism, the Russian Gulag, the Knights Templar, Ancient Rome and even prehistoric Europe. The title stems from the main moral question of the book: how far would you go to help someone you love?The story begins when Paul Farrell, a Parisian architect, kills four people in Paris then walks into a hail of police gunfire at JFK. His eccentric "cousin", palaeoanthropologist Alan Kedward, steals the body. The investigators now have a triple mystery: what was Farrell's motive for murder, why did he commit suicide-by-cop and why did Kedward steal the body? And could Farrell still be alive?

CAROL ANN: Wow. Sounds like a great mystery! I love the cover, too. Tell my, Paula, what was your first publication?

PAULA: **Looks at the audience and smiles** A little poem called "What Is Grey?" in the fourth grade for our school's annual anthology.

CAROL ANN: **Looks at the audience.** Do you think we should have her recite her poem for us?

PAULA: **laughs** Please, not today!

CAROL ANN: All right. I'll let you off the hook this time. What do you consider your biggest challenge as far as writing?

PAULA: Revision. It's my bugbear. But I'm getting better at it.

CAROL ANN: I hear you! I hate revisions. Especially when I'm going through my story for the fourth time and all I'm doing is changing words around, then the next time I change them back.

**Paula and Carol Ann laugh**

CAROL ANN: Name one person who has inspired you and tell me about her/him?

PAULA: My friend and cowriter Judith Doloughan. We first "met" in 2001 when she emailed me a response to a story I'd written. From then on, we talked daily on IM, the phone or in person, trading stories and critiques and eventually collaborating on Fraterfamilias, until her death on June 5, 2007. I miss her.

CAROL ANN: I'm really sorry for your loss. Fraterfamilias must be very close to your heart with having Judith's collaboration.

**Paula nods and wipes at a tear**

CAROL ANN: When you begin working on a story, which comes first: plot or characters?

PAULA: Characters. Without characters, there is no plot.

CAROL ANN: How do you decide on a title for your books?

PAULA: Prosaically. Which sounds funny, considering some of my titles, but there you go. I look at the main theme of the story and then I try to sum it up in one catchy word or phrase. The oddness of some of my titles comes entirely from my personal definition of "catchy".

CAROL ANN: What does the word "romance" mean to you?

PAULA: A love story. But it can also mean a grand adventure somewhere beautiful and far away, where the true love story is between the reader and the author's world. A good romance should, like Calgon, take you away.8

CAROL ANN: Do you have any advice to a new author on how to balance promotion with writing time?

PAULA: Schedule time for both. Too many authors carefully schedule time and make goals for writing, but none for submitting, let alone promotion once they’ve sold. Selling is great, but not if nobody reads your book. And to avoid burnout, schedule the balance your own way and promote in your own fashion. Every writer has a different balance and different comfort levels.

CAROL ANN: Good advice. On the personal side, do you collect anything? If so, tell me about your collection and how you got started.

PAULA: I'm a lifelong collector, especially of books and rocks. But my current collecting passion is West Coast Native art, which I've found a great source for writing ideas. I'm especially fascinated by the artists' use of metals, though my collection of wood and metal artifacts is, for reasons of money, much smaller than my collection of prints.

CAROL ANN: Very interesting. I love learning about the things others collect. Authors are definitely eclectic collectors. Oh, no! I can't believe they are giving me the sign to wrap up. Our time together this morning went so fast. I've so enjoyed talking with you. But I have one more question to squeeze in. Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword?

PAULA: Yes. A sword can only benefit one person at a time. A pen can be used to help or destroy millions. Ghandi was a lawyer, Stalin a secretary. I doubt either man used a sword in his life; the pen was their weapon of choice. But no one would doubt their respective influences.

CAROL ANN: Thank you, again, Paula. It's been my pleasure to have you in the blog studio. **Carol Ann looks into the camera** Be sure to tune in on July 19th when I'll have Trevane and Casey in the studio. Also, here is where you can learn more about Paula and where you can purchase her book.

**Camera rolls**

Paula's Home Page

Fraterfamilias at Virtual Tales

Judith's blog

Dreaded Synopsis - Take Two

I finally drafted a two page synopsis and shared it with my writing group. Got some great feedback, but mostly all felt too many questions were left unanswered in the synopsis. So, back to the drawing board tonight.

I started working at 9pm and finished just a few minutes ago, after 1am. I now have a synopsis which answers the questions, and I like it.

One big problem.

It's now three pages long.

Guidelines for Steeple Hill are to send a query letter and a synopsis of NO MORE THAN TWO PAGES.

Arghhhh.

A Day to be Forgotten

Chalk this day up as one I sure want to forget ever happened.

My dreaded day job was the most stressful I've had in years. You would have thought I'd been gone for a month instead of one day. Every five minutes or less I received an email, telephone call, or personal visit bearing another "fire". By the time lunch rolled around, I didn't even want to eat...just needed to get away and take a deep breath. The afternoon continued much the same way, so by the time I left tonight I felt like I'd been run over by a semi and then had it back up and get me again.

But no rest for me when I got home. Time to fix dinner and then do all the clean up. Finally made it into my home office to turn on the computer. Opened my calendar and realized I'd forgotten to send questions to Paula Stiles who was supposed to be interviewed in the blog studio this morning. **sigh** So, barring no catastrophes, you'll get to view her interview on Monday morning, July 9th. My apologies to all.

Now I have to finish the synopsis for Joshua's Hope. I HATE writing a synopsis. It's the absolute worst part of writing for me. For some authors it comes easy, but for me it's like a big mental block.

But my goal is to send off the promotion package to Love Inspired Supsense no later than Monday, so I have to gnash my teeth and crank it out tonight. That allows sleeping on it for a couple days and then revising.

For anyone who might not like revisiting their writing time and time and time again, you better give it up. A writer's life is one of constant revision.

Hope everyone in the U.S. had a safe and happy Fourth!!

Thank You Zanesville, Ohio....

...and John McIntire Library...for your wonderful hospitality on June 30th at the Romance Readers Celebration. I had a wonderful time speaking with the staff at the library and the audience of romance readers in attendance.



Booksigning after event



Answering reader's questions



Listening to fellow author Marcia James (out of camera range). From left, author Tina Wittich, Author Toni Leland, and me